Senate confirms Blanche as attorney general in 50-49 vote

The Senate early Saturday confirmed Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, as attorney general in a 50-49 vote that exposed deep divisions even within the Republican caucus over the future independence of the Justice Department.

Blanche, who has served as acting attorney general since April after Trump dismissed Pam Bondi, prevailed along largely party lines. Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined all Democrats in opposition. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana provided the decisive vote after weeks of hesitation, while Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was absent.

The outcome followed a contentious confirmation process marked by bipartisan unease over Blanche's close ties to Trump and his role in several controversial actions at the department. Critics pointed to his handling of the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents and his involvement in a May agreement that created a nearly $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund and granted Trump, his sons and their businesses immunity from IRS audits.

Cassidy, who lost his renomination bid to a Trump-backed challenger, said he viewed Blanche as a flawed but preferable option to an alternative acting attorney general who might prove even less independent. Murkowski and Collins, however, cited ongoing worries about the Epstein files, the scope of the tax immunity deal and statements Blanche made to anti-abortion groups. Murkowski also flagged the department's targeting of perceived political opponents.

Democrats uniformly opposed the nomination, arguing that placing Trump's former defense lawyer atop the Justice Department undermined any pretense of impartial law enforcement. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described the confirmation as handing Trump an excuse to continue what he called pervasive corruption at the agency.

Blanche represented Trump in multiple criminal cases before joining the administration. Supporters, including Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, praised his background and said he had demonstrated the ability to lead the department effectively. Blanche posted on social media after the vote that he was honored by the Senate's decision and committed to upholding the law.

The narrow margin reflected the leverage a handful of Republican senators held during the final days of negotiations. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina secured written assurances that the anti-weaponization fund would not proceed and that the tax immunity provisions would be narrowed. Those commitments helped clear the path for confirmation before the Senate departed for its August recess.

Blanche now takes permanent control of an agency that has already pursued several high-profile actions aligned with Trump's priorities. The confirmation battle underscored persistent questions about whether the department can operate free from White House influence at a time when Trump has repeatedly signaled his desire to direct its resources toward his political adversaries.